Madrid Tapas Tours: What to Eat & How to Book
Madrid tapas tours: how a taberna crawl in La Latina works, what to order (tortilla, croquetas, calamares) with vermut, what it costs, and how to book.
The short version: a Madrid tapas tour hops between traditional tabernas in La Latina, Centro and around Mercado de San Miguel, tasting the city’s best bites with a glass of Spanish wine or vermut. A guide takes you to the real local spots rather than the tourist traps on Plaza Mayor, and the tastings usually add up to a full dinner. Here is what to eat and how to book.
At a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What | A tapas crawl: several tabernas, bites and drinks at each |
| Where | La Latina, Centro, Mercado de San Miguel, Lavapies |
| Drink | Vermut (vermouth on tap), Spanish wine, cana (small beer) |
| Signature bites | Jamon, tortilla espanola, croquetas, bocadillo de calamares, patatas bravas |
| When | Evenings; Madrid eats late, from around 8:30 or 9pm |
What you taste
Madrid pulls food traditions from all over Spain. Expect jamon iberico, a wedge of tortilla espanola (potato omelette), croquetas, the very Madrid bocadillo de calamares (fried-squid sandwich), patatas bravas and slow-cooked callos (tripe stew) for the brave. The classic aperitivo is vermut poured from the tap, and most tours finish somewhere you would never have found alone.
How a Madrid tapas tour works
A guided crawl walks you between three and five tabernas, orders each one’s specialty, and pairs it with the right drink, usually over two to three hours. The value is local knowledge: Madrid’s best tapas bars are small, old and scattered across the centre.
Our pick: the Madrid Guided Food Tour with Tapas and Spanish Wine (4.9 stars, 800+ reviews) hits several local spots in La Latina and the centre with nine tapas and wine.
When to go
Madrid eats late: tapas bars fill from 8:30 or 9pm. Sunday is great for a morning vermut around La Latina and the Rastro market. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons.
Compare every city: the best tapas and pintxos tours in Spain.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Madrid tapas tour?
A guided crawl through traditional tabernas in La Latina and the centre, tasting each bar’s specialty with Spanish wine, vermouth or beer. Most visit three to five bars over two to three hours.
How much does a Madrid tapas tour cost?
Group tours usually run around EUR 65 to 110 per person with several tapas and drinks included; private tours cost more.
What tapas is Madrid known for?
Tortilla espanola, croquetas, the fried-squid sandwich (bocadillo de calamares), patatas bravas and callos, with jamon and vermouth throughout.
Book a Madrid tapas tour
Compare Madrid tapas tours, or learn to cook on a Madrid cooking class. More Spain food and wine experiences.
